Christopher Thomas O’Brien, 24, of Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away on March 9, 2026. His loss is felt deeply by his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched with his generosity and warmth, and keen sense of humor.

Visitation will take place at Callaway and Crane Funeral Home on March 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint James Roman Catholic Church in Basking Ridge on March 17, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge.

Chris was born on December 6, 2001, to Tom and Karen O’Brien. He grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ, and attended Mt. Prospect Elementary School, William Annin Middle School, and graduated from Ridge High School in 2020. Following high school, he continued his education at Seton Hall University.

Throughout his life, Chris was known for his kind heart and compassion for others. He developed close friendships with many people of various ages and backgrounds, and was especially gentle with children and animals. He had a remarkable way of connecting with complete strangers, often going out of his way to give money or even his own gloves to homeless individuals. His compassion was quiet but powerful, expressed through simple acts of service and genuine care for those around him.

Chris had a deep love for animals, particularly his pet cockatiel, Jabber, and for the outdoors. He was proud of his time working on a ranch in Vermont, where he cared for many animals and particularly enjoyed caring for the cows and chickens. He also treasured outdoor activities of all kinds and felt at peace in nature. Family trips to Alaska and Wyoming held a special place in his heart.

He loved golf, fishing, and the competitive nature of playing chess. Baseball was a lifelong passion, beginning with tee ball, continuing through Little league and club ball, and culminating in earning a varsity position in high school. He was a loyal Mets fan, regardless of the team’s ups and downs, and he cheered for St. John’s college basketball. He also viewed himself as a March Madness aficionado.

One of Chris’s most memorable adventures was a months-long solo road trip with the goal of visiting as many states as possible and meeting many new people along the way. This journey reflected his love of adventure and spontaneity. He talked about this trip as being one of the most enjoyable experiences of his life and had many stories to tell when he returned.

He is survived by his parents, Karen and Tom O’Brien; his sisters, Anna and Sarah O’Brien; and Sarah’s fiancé, Morgan Belcher. He also leaves behind his grandparents, Tom and Ginny O’Brien, and Sal Bruno and Andrea Bruno, and was predeceased by his grandmother, Elaine Bruno. He is lovingly remembered by his great aunts and uncle, Rosalie and Baird Davis and Fran Thomas; his aunts, Pam DeSilva, Kathy O’Brien, and Kerry Keenan; and his uncles, Ron DeSilva, Patrick O’Brien, and Scott Keenan. He is further survived by his cousins, Danny DeSilva, Lany DeSilva, Sean Keenan, Finn O’Brien, and Mia O’Brien, all of whom will carry his memory in their hearts.

Chris will be remembered for his kindness, his keen sense of humor, his generosity, and the joy he brought into the lives of so many others. His spirit lives on in the countless moments of goodness he shared with the world.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Bridges Outreach, Inc., help@bridgesoutreach.org, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901.